Culled from Opera News



Often times, you hear some Christians quote these verses when trying to emphasize on something and they think it is written in the bible but it is not. Some even say, ‘The bible said that….” Meanwhile that verse or quote is not in the bible.

Here are 6 quotes that people wrongly say is found in the bible but it is completely false.



1. "God/heaven helps those who help themselves.”

This is definitely not biblical. Rather in the Bible, our help always comes from one place, which the Psalmist lays out succinctly in Psalm 121:2, "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Also it says here: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14).

2. "Cleanliness is next to godliness”

The saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” does not appear anywhere in the Bible. The expression is an archaic proverb found in Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts. Its debut in the English language, in a modified form, is found in the writings of philosopher and scientist Sir Francis Bacon. Almost two hundred years later (1791), John Wesley made a reference to the expression in one of his sermons in the form we use it today. Wesley wrote, “Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness."

However, in the Bible, outward cleanliness has no connection to godliness. Jesus made it clear that men are defiled by what is in their hearts and that godliness is not attained by what we eat or don’t eat or by how often we wash our hands (Matthew 7:18-23).



3. “Money is the root of all evil”

This is a common misconception we often hear people quote as if it is written like that in the bible. What 1Timothy 6:10 actually says, "For the LOVE of money is a root of all sorts of evil…" Money is not good or bad, and being wealthy is not a sin; Job was wealthy and described as a man who was "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 1:1). Love for money is the root of all sorts of evil as the desire to accumulate wealth can lead people to do all manner of evil acts and is placed above God and others.

4. “This, too, shall pass.”

This quote is always used by lots of people whenever something bad happens. It certainly sounds biblical, and some have even quoted it on TV and in churches as being from God’s Word. But it’s not, and it’s not even necessarily true all of the time. What the bible says rather in Psalms 30:5 “For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”.

5. “Verily, I say to you, God wants you to be happy.”

It’s a verse that allows people to skip other biblical mandates because, as is often claimed, your happiness is more important than everything else.

But none of these false verses does more damage than this one. It has made a lot of Christians to be selfish in pursing only the things that make them happy and not to serve humanity like Jesus commanded. We are here to praise God—not to accumulate wealth, be comfortable or feel satisfied. In fact, if we put our happiness ahead of everything else, we’re completely disobeying what Jesus said are the most important commands: Love God; love people (Luke 10:27).

6. “If you work hard enough, you’ll be successful.”

Is hard work good? Yes, don’t get me wrong. In fact, we’re told over and over in Proverbs that we’re supposed to work hard (see Proverbs: 12:11, 13:4, 14:23, etc.). Jesus kept a tireless pace during His life on earth, and you’ll never hear Paul condemn someone who works hard. In fact, he condemns those who don’t in 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

There is nowhere in the Bible it is written specifically that hard work brings success. Typical examples are bricklayers that earn so little yet work harder than those who are successful in life. Rather pray for favour to be at the right place and at the right time like it is written in Ecclesiastics 9:11 “I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favour to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all”.



What other ‘verses’ have you heard people quote that you thought was in the bible but later found out was completely false? Let’s share them in the comment box to educate others.

I won't say a sentence

What of do unto others before they do unto me

Since two dumb folks arrived this thread before me, I'd like to say I want to go and think what to say. When I'm back I'll say it. Tenkiu!

Most of these quotes have implied meanings from your Bible.